Festival season is upon us--well, it has been for a while--and I have some words of advice. This is something anyone with a phone or camera is guilty of while watching live music: recording it.
Anyone who knows me well knows that I absolutely love music. I much prefer to spend $100 on a concert than a pair of jeans. I love music, and so inherently I love live music--festivals, concerts, open mic nights, jamming with some friends in my dorm -- anything. I am a firm believer in the power music has to unite people, no matter how different they are.
That being said, of course I want to take some memories back from the show so I can remember it in a few years, or even a few days. I sneak a clip here and a clip there, maybe even one annoying little Snapchat story, but I try really hard not to have my phone out for more than maybe a few minutes. Sometimes the performer is so close or there is a moment you just need to capture, like this shot I took of James Bay.
But I firmly believe in putting the phone down and watching the concert in real time. I used to be a pretty bad offender at concerts, having my phone out and recording almost every song because I was afraid I wouldn't remember what a great time I had. However, it turns out that I have more fun and remember the performance more when my phone is safely stowed away in my go-to leather cross body.
Recently, I attended a festival at which Florence and the Machine were headlining. Florence Welch--the lead singer--reminds me of a little fairy, and she creates an ethereal and magical atmosphere wherever she performs. For one song, she addressed the beaming crowd and asked us that we all put our phones away for one song. Most people listened, and she was appreciative.
Welch is not the first celebrity who has addressed fans at concerts in this way. It is becoming such an annoyance to the performers that it is being brought up even more often. Adele, Beyonce, Kip Moore, Taylor Swift and Jack White are just a few of the musicians who have become increasingly frustrated with the presence of cell phones during their performances and have spoken out.
Take some photos and a couple of videos, but respect the musicians who have worked tirelessly to perfect their craft and want you to be present in the moment.
